A book I found from the turn of the century mentioned the town of Gooseberry, so I started searching online to see what I could find out about it. Turns out, not much. But I did discover its location on a Rand McNally and Company map from 1897. It also mentioned a town named Igo that wasn’t too far from Gooseberry or Hardman. What a fun name! I made up the IG Ranch that Trace and the robbers snatched the payroll from the wagon heading there.
The Wright brothers did make their historic flight in December 1903. I enjoyed imagining what the people of that time might think about such an event upon first hearing it. With our adventurous Hardman characters, I could easily picture Luke Granger wanting to go for a ride!
And an advertisement from 1903, showing electric lights on a tree inspired the idea of Victoria ordering them to add to the Christmas tree as a surprise for Maddie. I had no idea they had them that long ago. Edward H. Johnson assembled the very first string of electric Christmas tree lights in 1882. Johnson was Thomas Edison’s friend and partner in the Edison’s Illumination Company. He hand-wired eight red, white and blue light bulbs and wound them around his Christmas tree. In 1903, General Electric began to offer preassembled kits of Christmas lights.
Also, I wanted to mention the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. It really did open in 1903, adding a striking fixture to the city’s skyline in a blend of European, Islamic, and Oriental style architecture. I loved the description that it opened with English butler service, Turkish baths, German lifts, and American fans. So fun!
If there are characters you’d like to see in a future story, please let me know. I love hearing from my readers.
I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Heather and my wonderful team of beta readers. Thank you so much for all your help!
As you read this and celebrate the holidays, I hope the season rings with joy and hope, laughter and love at your home and in your heart.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with blessings!
Thank you for reading The Christmas Ring. I hope you enjoyed Trace and Victoria’s sweet romance. If you have just a moment, would you please leave a review so others might discover this book? I’d so appreciate it!
If you haven’t yet read them, check out the other books in the Hardman Holidays series! Each book can stand on its own, but it’s fun to read them in order.
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Gifts of Christmas
Gifts of Christmas
Sweet holiday romances sure to warm your heart.
Gift of Grace (Book 1) — Sometimes the best gifts are those freely given from the heart . . .
Gift of Hope (Book 2) — A tender gift given in love can warm even the coldest heart . . .
Gift of Faith (Book 3) — When their faith is tested will Christmas bring a miracle?
Sometimes the best gifts
Are those freely given from the heart . . .
“When I feel the need for inspiration and comfort I reach for a book by Shanna Hatfield.”
Debbie Macomber
#1 New York Times Bestselling Author
Ready to begin a new life far away from the sad memories of the Civil War, J.B. and Nora Nash head west on the Oregon Trail. They settle into the small community of Pendleton, Oregon, on a piece of land where they’re excited to build a future and their dreams together.
A devastating tragedy leaves them both reeling as they draw further and further apart. Nora blames J.B. for her unhappiness while he struggles through his own challenges. Only a miracle can bring them through their trials and reunite them for Christmas.
Together, will they discover the gift of grace in this sweet holiday romance brimming with hope, history, and abiding love?
Gift of Grace is the first book in the Gifts of Christmas series, a collection of heartwarming, wholesome romances, featuring precious gifts given straight from the heart.
Please continue reading for an excerpt.
Prologue
April 1870
Pendleton, Oregon
Excitement coiled around Nora Nash until she felt like a tightly wound spring. Eager to explore her surroundings, she glanced from left to right, taking in the landscape of northeastern Oregon.
“What do you think, apple cheeks? Can we make a home here?” her husband asked from his seat beside her.
“Oh, yes, J.B. I’m sure we can,” she said, wrapping both hands around the thick muscle of his upper arm and giving it a squeeze. Even though they’d been married for four years, just a look or touch from the handsome man she’d wed could make her knees as weak as watery pudding. Tall and strong, J.B. had an honest face with a straight, classic nose, a rugged jawline, and a luscious lower lip that made her long for his kisses.
When she had a spare moment to read, she could easily picture him as a hero in a story—a dashing duke or intriguing prince.
However, there would be time enough later to dwell on how attractive she found James Benjamin Nash. Right now, she wanted to remember every detail of her first view of what would be their new home.
“Are we almost there?” Nora asked, lifting a hand to shade her eyes against the bright afternoon sun.
“Yep, at least I think so.” J.B. smiled, flashing white teeth against his tanned skin. “Let’s have a look at that map Mr. Bruce gave us at the land office.”
Nora lifted the sheet of paper with the simple map the man had drawn for them to show where the land they’d just purchased was located, north of the young town of Pendleton.
J.B. tapped the paper with his finger. “It appears we’re heading in the right direction.” He pointed to a large cottonwood tree to the side of the trail they followed. “There’s the tree he said was about a mile from our land.”
“I can’t believe we made it.” Nora squeezed J.B.’s arm again and sighed contentedly when he kissed her cheek. They’d left their ranch in Omaha in the middle of February and it was now early April. The journey had seemed long, at some points never ending, but they’d made it.
“Believe it, darlin’. We’re here and before you know it, this will feel like home.” He tugged on the lines, guiding their team of mules around a hole that looked like an animal attempted to dig a burrow.
Nora glanced over her shoulder, glad to see their two workhorses docilely plodding along behind their wagon. She’d hated to sell off their stock, but knew they must. The one thing she couldn’t bear the thought of was parting with the team she’d helped her father raise from the day they were born. The twin horses had never been separated and J.B. had understood her need to keep them as a final connection to her father.
“Billy and Buster still back there?” her husband asked with a feigned expression of concern.
“They are, but they said they’re anxious to be at our new home, too.” She shot J.B. a sassy smile which earned her another kiss, this time on her lips. He snapped the lines and the four mules picked up their pace as they pulled the heavy wagon along the trail.